UI professor says Ernst as Trump VP ‘helps him more than it hurts her’

University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle says if Donald Trump chooses Joni Ernst as his running mate, her military experience would help him, plus having a woman on the ticket might help as well.

“It’s not clear whether it would be good for Joni Ernst to be Trump’s running mate as vice president,” Hagle says. “It probably helps him more than it hurts her.”

Trump is reportedly looking for a running mate who could help push his agenda through congress. Hagle says Ernst appears to have a good working relationship with Republican leaders in congress, but she’s not as experienced as a couple of others who are reportedly on Trump’s “short list” for VP. Running with Trump might wind up being a long-term liability for Ernst, according to Hagle.

“She’s in a position where she’s a rising star as many believe in the Republican Party and so if the Trump campaign ends up being disastrous or just Trump continues to do things that Trump has done in the past and, you know, make people mad, it could rub off on Ernst to a certain extent,” Hagle says. “But she’s also not up for reelection for another couple of years and, by then, it may have worn off.”

Hagle says Ernst might help Trump regain ground he lost with some veterans over his January fundraiser in Des Moines. It was disclosed Trump didn’t personally make a donation to a veterans group until May after the Washington Post began examining details of where all the money Trump said he raised at the fundraiser went.

Ernst released a written statement after the meeting with Trump. In it, Ernst did not use the formal “Mr. Trump” but referred to him in a more personal way, by using his first name.

“Iowans are frustrated by the current direction of our country – and we simply cannot afford to continue these failed policies under Hillary Clinton.

“I had a good conversation with Donald Trump today and we discussed what I am hearing from Iowans as I travel around the state on my 99 county tour, and the best path forward for our country.

“I will continue to share my insights with Donald about the need to strengthen our economy, keep our nation safe, and ensure America is always a strong, stabilizing force around the globe.”